Ukraine is prepared to hand over captured North Korean soldiers to their country if North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can facilitate the release of Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X.
Zelenskyy added that for those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, other options could be explored. Specifically, soldiers willing to spread the truth about the war to bring peace closer would be given opportunities to do so.
“In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be others. It is only a matter of time before our defenders capture more. The world should have no illusions: Russia’s army now depends on military aid from the DPRK,” Zelenskyy said.
The statement follows the capture of two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Region. According to reports, one soldier was captured on 9 January by the 84th Special Forces tactical group, and the other by Ukrainian paratroopers.
- South Korean intelligence recently confirmed the capture of a wounded North Korean soldier by Ukrainian troops in December.
- Zelenskyy also disclosed that North Korea has already suffered the loss of around 4,000 troops in the war on Russia’s side. Pyongyang is reportedly gaining combat experience for potential future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The White House has corroborated reports of heavy DPRK losses in Ukraine and estimates that North Korea has deployed approximately 12,000 troops to Russia. There are concerns that Pyongyang might send an additional 30,000–40,000 troops or possibly as many as 500,000 soldiers to aid Russia’s war efforts.